Method and apparatus for lifting rails



Jan. 2, 1934. R, E HUNTER 1,941,803

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR LIFTING RAILS Filed April 14, 1952 4 Sheets-Sheet l N M Q Q Q X 1\ 1* \h v N f [N VEN TOR.

x M A TTORNE Ys,

R. E. HUNTER Jan. 2, 1934.

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR LIFTING RAILS Filed April 14, 1952 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 IN VENTOR.

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4 A TTORNEYS 1934- R. E. HUNTER METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR LIFTING RAILS 1932 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed April 14 lNyEN TOR.

We; I 'TQue/n VWW MA TTORNE Y5 Jan. 2, 1934. R. E. HUNTER METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR LIFTING RAILS Filed April 14, 1932 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 HI] HlHl HUN Patented Jan. 2, 1934 UNITED STATES METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR LIFTING RAILS Robert E. Hunter, Youngstown, Ohio Application April 14, 1932. Serial No. 605,181

40' Claims. (01'. 25i89) This invention relates to a method and apparatus for lifting rails in the operation of dismantling railway tracks.

An object of the invention is to simplify and cheapen the operation of removing rails from the supports or ties to which they are secured.

A further object is to produce a machine for taking up and removing rails from railway tracks which obviates the necessity of separately removing the individual rail securing means or spikesand which materially reduces the labor ordinarily involved in such operations.

In carrying out the invention, I not only employ mechanisms not heretofore contemplated in connection with rail lifting, but I also employ a novel procedure in that I support aloosened portion of the rail above its ties or normal supports for the purpose of subjecting the rail securing means or spikes, which are. still in place, to a loosening strain and I subject each rail support or tie to a blow or a rapid succession of blows While the securing meansof such tie is subjected to such loosening strain. In addition, I contemplate subjecting the loosened and lifted portion 25. of the rail to vibratory motion for the purpose of increasing the effect of the loosening strains imparted by the rail to the rail securing means. This may be accomplished by employing separate means for vibrating the elevated support, or the vibratory motion may result from the relation of the impact device'and the elevated support for the loosened portion of the rail. One feature of my invention is that the point of elevated support of the loosened portion of the rail is substantially continuously advanced, thereby continuously increasing the spike loosening strains or rail securing means in advance of such support, and, where a vibratory motion is imparted to loosened portions of the rail, the effect of such vibratory motion on the spike or securing means is also increased.

In the drawings accompanying and forming a part hereof, Figure 1 is a side elevation of a rail lifting mechanism embodying my invention. Fig. 45. 2 is a side elevation of a modified form of such mechanism. Fig. 3 is a fragmental view partially in front elevation and partially in transverse section of the apparatus shown in Fig. 1. Fig. 4 is a diagrammatic view of a portion of the propelling mechanism of the apparatus of Fig. 1. Fig. 5 is a fragmental sectional view of a detail of the apparatus of Fig 1. Fig. 6v is a. view partially in elevation and partially in section of a hammer forming a part. of the mechanism illustrated in. Fig- 2. Fig. 7 is a fragmental view partially in section and partially. in elevationv ofa portion of an automatic steering mechanismforming apart of the apparatus of Fig. 1. Figs. 8, 9, 10 and 11 are each fragmental views of portions of the automatic steering mechanism. Fig. ll'ais a fragmental sectional view of a detail ofthe steering mechanism. Fig. 12' is a fragmental view of a portion of the apparatus of'Fig. 2, shown in con-- nection with a guiding or steering means, such as may be employed in connection with apparatus such asillustrated in Fig. 2.

The apparatus of Fig. 1 consists essentially of a frame 15, supported bydriving wheels 16 and steering wheels 17-, and forming a means of support for a motor 18, which is capable of delivering power to the driving wheels and is also capable of deliveringpower to a vibratory support 19 and an impact device 20. As illustrated, the driving wheels 16 are located near the rear of. the frame and are mounted on a suitable axle supported in suitable journals carried bythe frame. The wheels 16 are spaced apart a distance less than the distance between the rails- 21 to be removed. The steering wheels 17 are suitably mounted on the frame in any approved manner, such, for example, as the manner ordinarily employed in the mounting of the front or steering wheels of an automobile truck. With this arrangement, the apparatus is capable of operating between the rails 21 to be lifted and is also capable of lifting both such rails.

The motor 18 is preferably an internal combustion engine and is adapted to be operatively coupled to the propelling and other operating mechanisms by means of a clutch, diagrammatically shown at 22 in Fig. 4. This clutch mechanism may be of usual and well known form and may be directly associated with a speed change mechanism or gear box 23 of the type and kind ordinarily employed in connection with automobiles.

As shown, the propelling shaft 24 is adapted to be coupledto a drive shaft 25 by means of a coupling or clutch 26 of any suitable form. The drive shaft is also shown as provided with a gear 27, which meshes with a gear 28, carried by a stub shaft 29, which is adapted to be coupled to a'secondary shaft 30, by means'of 'a clutch or coupling 31. In Fig. 4, all of the apparatus is diagrammaticallyshown, since the various parts there illustrated-are all well known parts, the particular details of whichform no part of this invention.

The drive shaft 25 drives-what may be termed a differential mechanism 32', supported on the frame 15 (Fig. 1). This mechanism is, as the term implies, a differential gearing, and is employed for delivering power to the propelling wheels 16. Each propelling wheel is provided with a sprocket 16 (Fig. 3), and is driven through the agency of a sprocket wheel 33 and sprocket chain34; as shown in Fig. 1. Two sprocket wheels are employed, eachdriven by one of the shafts forming apart of the-differential mechanism 32,

and here again, the details of the differential and the drive are diagrammatically illustrated because it will be understood that any suitable means for delivering power to the driving wheels may be employed.

The drive shaft is operatively connected to a shaft 35, carried by the frame and provided near each end with a sprocket wheel 36. The particular form of the driving connection between the shafts 25 and is not important in connection with this description; however, a worm and worm wheel connection are preferably employed, the worm being mounted on the shaft 25. The sprocket wheels 36 drive, through the agency of sprocket chains 36', a shaft 37, suitably journalled on the frame 15, and this shaft is provided near each end, with an eccentric 38. Each eccentric and its strap 38 forms a part of the vibratory rail support mechanism 19. This mechanism consists essentially of a rail support or shoe 19' which is shown as provided with an arm 39, pivotally supported on a suitable bracket carried by the frame. The eccentric strap 38 is provided with an eccentric rod 41, which is pivotally connected to the shoe 19'.

In the operation of removing or lifting a rail, the end of the rail is loosened, by removing the spikes, and the loosened end is then lifted and inserted through the shoe 19' so that the shoe forms a support for the bottom flange of the "loosened portion of the rail at a point above the ties or rail supports. When the shaft 3'7 is driven the eccentric carried thereby imparts a vibratory motion to the shoe 19 and therefore to the rail supported by the shoe.

Near the forward end of the frame I preferably provide a pressure, or tie engaging plate 42, which may be pivotally secured to the frame and which is preferably provided with a rounded nose or forward portion, as disclosed in Fig. 1. This plate is adapted to engage the ties at points intermediate of the rails and in this way to resist an up lift of the ties, in response to the upward pull of the rails, due to the fact that the rails are elevated and supported by the shoes 19'. The impact device 20 cooperates with the vibratory shoe 19' in loosening the spikes 21', or the rail securing means employed. As shown, this device consists of spaced drums rotatably mounted in suitable supports 44 at the front of the frame and each drum is provided with lugs or knockers 44 adapted to engage the tie or rail support during the rotation of the drum. Each drum is driven from the shaft 30 (Fig. 4) by means of beveled gears 45 and 45', sprockets and chain 46, and the arrangement is such that during the rotation of the drums, the knockers will engage a tie or support immediately before the tie or support is engaged by the nose of the pressure plate 42.

As shown, each drum 20 is mounted in a separate frame 44, which is pivotally supported by the frame 15. Each such drum supporting frame is yieldingly held in adjusted position by an adjustable sleeve 47 threaded through an aperture formed in a bracket 47', rigidly mounted on the frame 15. A supporting pin 47a extends through this sleeve, and the sleeve is of such internal dimensions as to provide adequate clearance for the pin. The lower end of the pin may be rigidly secured to the frame 44 and the pin is held in adjusted position with relation to the bracket 47' by means of coiled springs 475. One of these springs is shown as located between the sleeve and the upper end of the frame 44,.and the other is shown located above the sleeve and between it and a nut 47c, threaded onto the pin. The sleeve 4'7 may be provided with a polygonal head or apertures capable of being engaged by a suitable tool for the purpose of turning it and thereby adjusting its position with relation to the bracket 47'.

It will be understood that a manually operated steering mechanism may be provided for the wheels 17, which may correspond in substantial particulars to the steering mechanism of an automobile truck. I, however, have illustrated means for automatically steering the apparatus so that it will follow the rails. As shown in Figs. 1 and 7 to 11, inclusive, the automatic steering mechanism includes a shoe 48, which is supported by. a

downwardly depending arm 48' of a guide 48"..

This shoe is flanged so as to engage the head of one of the rails being removed and is so mounted on the arm that it is yieldingly held against the rail. The guide 48 carries a housing 49 for a cylindrical disk 50. The disk is loosely mounted within the housing and is provided with a transversely extending aperture through which a support arm 51 extends. The arm 51 carries a gear sector 52 and is pivotally mounted on the frame as at 51. The sector 52 meshes with a gear 53, mounted on a shaft 53, journalled on the frame 15, and a worm 54 is mounted on this shaft. The worm meshes with a worm wheel 54 suitably journalled on the frame 15, and arranged to operate the steering mechanism of the wheels 17 through an arm 55, link 55 and bell cranks 55". It will, of course, be understood that the apparatus just described is illustrative only and is therefore shown in diagrammatic form, the intent being to disclose one form of mechanism which may be employed for steering the wheels 17 by engagement with one or both of the rails 21, which are being lifted.

The operation of the apparatus heretofore described is as follows: Preliminary to lifting the rails of a railway track, a short length of each rail is loosened in any suitable way, andduring this operation any desired means may be employed for drawing the spikes 21. The rail lifting apparatus illustrated is then moved to posi-* tion between the rails with its forward end turned in the direction of the rails to be lifted. The apparatus is then moved forward so as to facilitate theoperation of threading the loosened ends of the rails through the shoes 19'. This elevates each rail above its ties or former supports and, of 7 impact mechanism is also driven at a high rate of speed and the arrangement is such that the spikes or ,rail securing means 21', which are as yet unloosened, but which are subjected to the loosening force transmitted through the rail, are also subjected to the loosening force occasioned by the action of the knockers 44 on the tie or support in which these spikes are driven.

It will also be apparent that the pressure plate 42 is so located with relation to this particular support or tie that the upward lift of the rail on the particular tie is not opposed by the pressure plate, with the result that the tie may be lifted to some extent by the rail. It will, of course, be understood. that the rail lifting apparatus moves forward at a relatively slow rate of speed, but at the, same time continuously, so that the point of support of the shoes 19 are continually being advanced along each rail and so that each rail is therefore exerting an increasing lifting or prying action on unloosened spikes of each tie and that this force is progressively exerted on the spikes of the roadbed of the successive ties as the apparatus moves progressively forward. During this forward movement of the apparatus, the rails are continuously vibrated and the mechanism moves successively from one tie to the next, thereby occasioning a corporation between the oscillatory prying effect of the vibratory mechanism 19 and the impact device 20, in loosening the spikes in the successive ties along the line of advance of the apparatus. action of the vibratory mechanism on each spike is increased as the apparatus moves forward. That is to say, the ampltitude of the rail movements increases toward the shoes 19.

It will be apparent that as the apparatus advances, the pressure plate 42 engages the ties or supports in which the spike loosening operation has been initiated by the conjoint action of the impact device and the vibrating rails. These ties are therefore pressed back to their original position in the ballast and are held in that position so long as they are engaged by the plate 42, or during the final operation of loosening the spikes and freeing the rails from the ties.

It will, of course, be understood that the rate of rotation of the impact drums 20 and of the vibrator eccentrics 38 may be varied to suit the circumstances. It is, however, desirable to rotate the drums 20 at a relatively high rate of speed and to so rotate the eccentrics of the vibratory apparatus that the period of vibration imparted to the rail will not correspond exactly to the natural period of vibration of the rail. That is to say, the up and down movement of the freed portion of the rails occasioned by the vibrator shoes 19, should be varied to correspond to the weight or rigidity of the rails in order to obtain the most eifective results with the least expenditure of energy.

Another feature of the apparatus illustrated is that the wheels 16 and 17 are so spaced as to permit freed or lifted portions of the rails being moved forwardly beneath the apparatus without the necessity of either removing the apparatus or stopping its forward progress. In Fig. 3 I have illustrated this arrangement and have shown positions which may be occupied by two rails 21a, which have been lifted or removed from the ties. It will be understood that in the ordinary operation of dismantling a railway track, a work train, ordinarily o crates immediately in front of the dismantling crew, particularly on a single track section. With the arrangement just described, freed sections of rail may be dragged by the work train through the opening provided between the spaced wheels of the rail lifting apparatus without in any way interfering with the operation of that apparatus.

It. should be stated also that where automatic steering mechanism, such as generally illustrated, is employed, some means should be provided for rendering the manual steering mechanism inoperative or, vice versa, some means should be employed for rendering the automatic steering mechanism inoperative when it is desired to em- It will also be noted that theploy themanuall'y actuated mechanism. This can be accomplished very. readily by providing a slip key in either or both the automatic and the manual steering mechanism so that one or the other may be rendered inoperative as desired. In Fig. 11a- I. have more or less diagrammatically shown an arrangement for rendering the automatic steering mechanism inoperative. There, the gear 53 is, loosely mounted on the shaft 53, but is adapted to be operatively locked to that shaft by means, of a pin 53a, which projects through the boss or hub of the gear and engages a peripheral aperture formed in the shaft 53.. As shown, this pin is normally held in looking engagement with the shaft 53 by a spring 53b, located between the end of the pin and a bracket 53c, carried by the gear hub. In order to break the driving connection between the shaft and the gear, I may employ a finger 53d pivotally mounted on the bracket 53c and pivotally secured to the outer end of they pin. It will, of course, be understood that the pivotal connection between the finger and the pin may be, and preferably is, a slot and pin connection. The finger is adapted to be actuated, to move the pin outwardly, by means of a sleeve 53c, which is slidably mounted on the shaft 53' and is provided with a slip ring 53; for the purpose of shifting it to, and looking it in, different positions along the shaft 53'. Any suitable actuating mechanism may be operatively secured to the slip ring.

In Fig. 2 I have illustrated an embodiment of my invention employing the familiar caterpillar tractor principle. As there illustrated, the frame 15 is supported on a pair of caterpillar treads 60 of usual design. These treads are spaced apart to provide the opening commented upon in connection with the lifted rails 21a of Fig. 3 and are driven through suitable driving mechanism by a motor 18'. It is unnecessary to describe the driving mechanism except to state that, as shown, each tread is driven by means of chains and sprockets 61 from a controllable mechanism 62, which may be operated either manually or automatically to retard the propelling action of one or the other of the treads for the purpose of steering the apparatus. The frame may also carry a compressed air tank 63 and a compressor 64 for delivering air to this tank, it being understood that the compressor may be driven, through the agency of a sprocket chain or otherwise, by the motor 18'.

The vibrating mechanism 19 of Fig. 1 is replaced by a stationary shoe or roller 19a, which, like the shoe 19 of Fig. 1, supports the flange of a loosened portion of the rail above its ties or normal supports. The eccentric, eccentric strap and eccentric rod of Fig. 1 are also replaced by a link 41 connection provided with a turnbuckle 19b for the purpose of adjusting the height of the shoe or roller 19a. It will be understood that the shoe proper is provided with an arm 39', which is pivotally connected to a suitable bracket of the frame 15 and that the link 41 is formed in two parts, connected together by the turnbuckle 19b and that it is pivotally connected to the shoe and also to the frame 15. With thisarrangement the shoe is held firmly in position, but at the same time, may be readily adjusted as to height. As shown, the shoe is of such construction as to support a roller 190. which is engaged by the lower flange of a rail supported in the shoe and which therefore reduces the friction between the rail and the elevated support.

A modified form of impact mechanism is illustrated in Fig. 2. There, the rotating drums 20 are replaced by pneumatically operated hammers 65, which are supported by forwardly extending brackets 66 and pivotally mounted frames 67. These hammers may be operated by any means, but are preferably pneumatically operated from the compressed air tank 63. I have not illustrated the details of the pneumatic mechanisms of these hammers, since the particular details of construction of such mechanisms are well known and form no part of the present invention.

In Fig. 6 I have, however, illustrated a method supporting each hammer 65 in its frame 6']. As shown, the hammer is pivotally secured to the frame by a fulcrum pin 68 and is yieldingly held in tie engaging position by means of springs 69, preferably of the type shown in Fig. 6. As there shown, each spring is made up of a series of tapered disk rings 69, which are pivotally secured together by annuiar locking pins 69 and annular spacers 69a. These built-up springs are located on opposite sides of the hammer neck 70 and between lugs '70 formed on that neck and suitable lugs formed on the frame 67. With this arrangement, the hammer is capable of tilting more or less automatically to clear ties or other obstructions as the apparatus moves forwardly, but at the same time, it is yieldingly held in en agement with each successive tie during the period that the spike loosening blows are delivered to the.

tie. In Fig. 2 the pressure plate 42 occupies about the same general position relatively to the hammers as described in connection with the impact device 20 of Fig. l, and cooperates with. the various mechanisms in holding the ties in place during the final operations of loosening the spikes.

It will be understood that the pneumatically actuated hammers may be replaced by mechanically operated hammers and that such hammers may be so formed as to, in eifect, combine the functions of the pressure plates 42 or 42' and the impact devices. That is to say, each hammer may be provided with a trailing edge, which pivotally secured to the frame 15, preferably by a yielding connection, and which therefore performs the function of the plate or plates i2 of Fig. 1. Eccentrics, such as described in connection with the vibratory apparatus of Fig. 1, or their equivalents, may be employed for actuating these mechanically actuated hammers.

It will be apparent that where the loosened portion of the rail is supported by a shoe or ro1ler, such as illustrated, and at a point remote from the impact devices employed, that the ac tion of the impact devices on the rail supports will set up a vibratory motion in the free and unsupported part of the loosened rail portion, and that this vibratory motion will be effective in aiding the spike loosening operation.

In Fig. 12 I have illustrated what may be termed an automatic steering mechanism for the tractor type of track lifter. A flanged roller 7 2 is suitably journalled and is mounted in a bracket '73, rigidly secured to the forward end of the apparatus. This roller is yieldingly pressed into engagement with the head of the rail 21 being lifted, and, by reason of its flanges, engages caused to follow the line of the rails without the necessity of manual or other steering.

.by the impact apparatus.

The operation of the apparatus generally i1Iustrated in Fig. 2 is substantially similar to that described in connection with Fig. 1, except that such vibratory movement is as imparted to the rail, is occasioned by the action of the impact hammers on the rail supports or ties. A section of each rail is loosened and the apparatus is advanced during the operation of threading the ends of these sections through the rollers 19a. The pneumatic mechanism for actuating the hammers 55 may operate continuously as the apparatus advances or it may operate intermittently and even under the control of an operator, but in any event, the arrangement is such that a. tie, lifted by reason of the lifting action of the el vated supports 1% is subjected to the action of the hammers as the apparatus advances, with the result that the spikes are jarred loose by the action of the hammers. As the spikes in each tie are initially loosened the plate 42' passes over those ties, thereby pressing the tie downwardly and completing the spike loosening operation and freeing the rails and the spikes from the ties;

With the arrangement illustrated in both Figs. 1 and 2, it will be apparent that the rail lifting apparatus may be propelled as a tractor without actuating either the impact mechanism or the vibratory mechanism and that the vibratory mechanism of Fig. 1 may be actuated without throwing the impact mechanism into operation, and vice versa. The preferred method of operating the rail lifting apparatus is, however, to advance that apparatus along the rails being lifted while subjecting each successive tie or support to the action of the impact mechanism and while setting up a vibratory motion in the loosened portion of the rail, whether such motion is occasioned by a vibratory point of support or by other means such as described. With the arrange ent illustrated in both Figs. 1 and 2 it will be apparent that the initial spike loosening operation is the result of the forward movement of the apparatus as a whole, the vibration of the rails as occasioned by the vibratory apparatus or by the impact devices, and the driving force to which each successive support or tie is subjected That is to say, the forward movement of the elevated support advances the point of elevated support of the rail and therefore li ts the rail in advance of the ele- "vated support, and even to some extent, in advance of the apparatus itself. This lifting of a portion of the rail necessarily raises ties in advance of the apparatus and each raised tie is eventually subjected to the downward driving force of the impact device at the same time that the rail is subjected to an increasing lifting force. The result is that each spike is readily loosened and often wholly withdrawn as the ties pass un der the pressure plates 42.

While the essential and characterizing features of the invention have been illustrated and described, it will be apparent that various changes, additions, omissions, and substitutions may be made in the apparatus illustrated Without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth by the appended claims.

What I claim is:

1. A method of lifting rails of a railway track from the supports to which they are secured by suitable removable means, which includes elevating a loosened portion of a rail so as to impart. a lifting strain on the securing means of a rail support at a point removed from the point of maximum elevation of the rail, and subjecting the loosened portion of the rail to vibratory movement while subjecting such rail support to a substantially downward directed blow.

2. A method of lifting rails of a railway track from the supports to which they are secured by suitable removable means, which includes holding a loosened portion of a rail in an elevated position above the supports so as to impart a loosening strain on the means securing the rail to a support at a point removed from an elevated portion of such rail, and then, periodically oscillating the elevated portion of such rail for varying the loosening strains.

3. A method of lifting rails of a railway track from the ties or supports to which they are secured by, suitable removable means, which includes raising a loosened portion of a rail above its supports, holding the raised portion in an elevated position so as to impart a loosening strain on the rail securing means at a point remote from the raised portion, and simultaneously subjecting a support to at least one blow in the region of such tie securing means.

4. A method of lifting rails of a railway track from the ties or supports to which they are secured by suitable removable means, which includes raising a loosened portion of a rail above its ties or supports, holding the raised portion in an elevated position so as to impart a loosening strain on the rail securing means at a point remote from the raised portion, and simultaneously subjecting the support to at least one blow in the region of such rail securing means, and advancing the point of elevated support, as the rail securing means are loosened.

5. A method of lifting rails of a railway track from the supports to which they are secured, which includes raising a loosened portion of a rail and holding such loosened portion above its supports, advancing a raised point of the rail while subjecting the rail to vibratory motion and while subjecting the support to which the rail is secured to a downwardly directed blow.

6. A method of lifting rails of a railway track from the supports to which they are secured. which includes raising a loosened portion of a rail and holding it above the supports, advancing a raised point of the rail and thereby successively raising successive supports secured to the rail, successively subjecting the raised supports to a substantially downwardly directed blow and occasioning a vibratory movement in the loosened portion of the rail as the raised point thereof is advanced, and successively forcing the raised supports downwardly after they have been subjected to such downwardly directed blow.

'7. A method of lifting rails of a railway track from the ties to which they are secured, which includes raising a loosened portion of a rail and supporting such portion in an elevated position above the ties, advancing an elevated point of the rail therealcng, successively subjecting successive ties to a substantially downwardly directed force as the elevated point is advanced, and while occasioning a vibratory motion in the loosened portion of the rail as its elevated point is advanced.

8. A method of lifting rails of a railway track from the ties to which they are secured by suitable means such as spikes, which includes raising a loosened portion of a rail and supporting such portion in an elevated position above the ties, vibrating the loosened portion of the rail and increasing the vibratory effect of such rail on each rail securing spike.

'vanced by said impelling means.

9. A method of lifting rails of a railway track from supports such as ties to which they are secured by suitable means such as spikes, which includes raising'a loosened portion of a rail, supporting such portion in an elevated position at a point remote from the nearest support to which it is secured and subjecting such support to a series of downwardly directed blows while advancing an elevated point of support and while permitting the intermediate part of the loosened rail portion to freely vibrate.

10. A rail lifting apparatus including a movable frame, means carried by the frame for holding a loosened portion of a rail in an elevated position, and an impact device carried by the frame for subjecting rail supporting ties in advance of said first mentioned means to substantially downwardly directed blows.

11. A rail loosening apparatus which includes a frame, rail supports adapted to receive a loosened portion of a rail, and a cam shaft mounted in said frame, said rail supports being mounted on said cam shaft, and means for rotating said cam shaft, so that said supports will vibrate.

12. A rail lifting apparatus including a frame, spaced means for supporting such frame, a rail vibrator carried by said frame and adapted to receive a loosened portion of a rail, and an impact device carried by said frame and located in advance of said vibrator.

13. A rail lifting apparatus, including a frame, supports for such frame, a rail support carried by said frame above the points of support of said frame, an impact device pivotally mounted on said frame, means for actuating said device.

14. A rail lifting apparatus including a movable frame, impelling means supporting said frame, a motor mounted on said frame for driving said impelling means, a support carried by said frame for supporting a loosened portion of rail above its normal points of support, means for imparting a vibratory movement to the loosened portion of said rail, and rail engaging means for steering said impelling means.

15. A rail lifting apparatus including a movable frame, impelling means supporting said frame, a motor mounted on said frame for driving said impelling means, a support carried by said frame for supporting a loosened portion of a rail to be lifted, an impact device carried by said frame in advance of said support, means for actuating said impelling means and means for actuating said impact device as said frame is ad- 16. A rail lifting apparatus including a frame, transversely spaced impelling means supporting said frame, a rail supporting shoe located on each side of said frame, impact devices carried by the front of the frame in spaced relation, means for driving said impelling means, and means for actuating said impact device as said frame is advanced by said impelling means.

17. A rail lifting apparatus including a frame, transversely spaced impelling means supporting said frame, a rail supporting shoe located on each side of the frame, impact devices carried by the front of the frame and located in spaced relation,

a motor mounted on said frame, means driven by said motor for driving said impelling means, means for oscillating said shoes, and means for actuating said impact devices, and transversely spaced plates depending from said frame.

18. A rail. lifting apparatus as defined in claim 16, in which the impelling means includes a pair of driving wheels and a pair of steeringwheels and in which rail engaging means are included for steering the last mentioned wheels.

19. A rail lifting apparatus as set forth in claim 16, in which the impelling means includes transversely spaced caterpillar tractor treads and the impact devices include pneumatic hammers pivotally secured to the frame.

20. A rail lifting apparatus including a movable frame, supports for said frame, rail engaging means carried by said frame, an impact device support pivotally secured to said frame, an impact device pivotally mounted with respect to said support, position-adjusting means for 'said device, and means for yieldingly holding said device in adjustedposition. V

- 21. The method of loosening rails of a railway track with respect. to their roadbed which includes, holding a portion of a rail in tension with respect to its roadbed while subjecting the roadbed to impacts.

22. The method of loosening rails of a railway track with respect to their roadbed which in cludes, holding a rail in tension with respect to "its roadbed while simultaneously oscillating at least one of them.

23. The method of loosening rails of a railway track with respect to their roadbed which includes, supporting progressive portions of a rail in tension with respect to a roadbed while simultaneouslyand intermittently varying the position of the rail with respect to such roadbed.

24. The method of removing rails of a railway track from supports to which they are secured which includes, subjecting a rail and progressive supports to a separating tension of fluctuating intensity.

25. The method of removing rails of a railway track from supports to which they are secured which includes, subjecting a rail and afsupport to a separating tensile force, and simultaneously vibrating the force.

26. The method of removing rails of a railway track from supports to which they are secured which includes, subjecting a rail and a support to a separating force, and simultaneously subjecting the support to anintermittent impact.

27. The method of removing rails of a railway track from supports to which they are secured which includes, subjecting progressive portions of a rail and supports of such portions to a separating force, and simultaneously subjecting them to an intermittently varied loosening force;

28. The method of removing rails of a railway "track from supports to which they are secured which includes, subjecting progressive portions 7 of a rail and supports of said portions to a separating force,

simultaneously vibrating such separating force, and progressively subjecting the supports to impacts.

29. The method of lifting rails of a railway track from supports to which. they are secured which includes, moving a loosened portion of a track from an adjacent secured portion for imparting a strain on such secured portion, and

frame, a rail support carried by said frame and adapted to receive a loosened portion of a rail, and means for vibrating said support.

32. A rail lifting apparatus which includes a movable frame, an elevated means carried by said frame for supporting a loosened portion of a rail, and means carried by said frame for subjecting the rail to a series of movements while elevated.

33. A rail lifter apparatus which includes a frame, a rail holder carried by said frame and adapted to receive a loosened portion of a rail, means for vibrating said holder, and means carried by said frame for loosening an adjacent portion of the rail by impact.

34. A rail lifting apparatus which includes a movable frame, an elevated means carried by said frame for receiving a loosened portion of a rail,

and a segment gear steering means carried by said frame for engaging a rail in advance of said elevated means. 7

35. A rail lifting apparatus which includes a movable frame,a roadbed engaging truck carried by said frame, an elevated support for receiving a loosened portion of a rail, said support being carmeans for manually controlling said steering means, and additional means for connecting said manual means to said steering means and for disconnecting said automatic means for steering said truck manually, and, for vice Versa connecting and disconnecting.

3'7. A rail loosening apparatus which includes a frame, means carried by said frame for supporting a loosened portion of a rail in a raised position, impacting means; said impact means including a hammer, a bracket carried by said frame, and means resiliently mounting said hammer on said bracket. i

38. A rail loosening apparatus which includes a frame, means carried by said frame for supporting a loosened portion of a rail in a raised position, impact means; said impact means including a hammer, a bracket carried by said frame, and a tapered-disc-ring and annular-locking-pin means for resiliently mounting said hammer on said bracket.

39. A rail loosening apparatus which includes a frame, a truck carried by said frame, the distance between wheels on each side of said truck being less than the normal distance between rails of a track to be loosened, and means depending from said truck and contacting with at least one 'rail of the track to be loosened, and additional means cooperating with said last-mentioned means for steering said truck between the rails of the track to be loosened.

40. A rail loosening apparatus which includes a movable frame, said frame having a set of forward and rear wheels carried by said frame, the 7 Wheels of each shaft having a distance between them at least slightly less than the distance between centers of rails of a track to be loosened, a roller means depending from said movable frame and being adapted to move along at least one of the rails to be lifted, and a steering means for the front set of wheels, and means connecting said steering means with said roller means, so that said movable frame may be automatically steered thereby.

ROBERT E. HUNTER. 

